Coffee House Shots

It's not the Forsyth Spit Bucket, but it may help us ease lockdown. Cindy Yu talks to Fraser Nelson and Katy Balls about why the government is banking so much on rapid tests, given that vaccination was meant to be the route out. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co....

Nadhim Zahawi this morning said that scientists are working on rapid Covid tests to reopen large events. The vaccine deployment minister said that 'new technologies' are being trialled at the Porton Down laboratories, and ruled out the government introducing vaccine passports. Cindy Yu speaks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adver...

Despite the UK hitting its target of giving 15 million people their first vaccine dose by 15 February, Boris Johnson said the path to reopening will be 'cautious but irreversible'. What does this approach mean for the return to normal life? Katy Balls speaks to Fraser Nelson and James Forsyth.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree...

Isabel Hardman hosts the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Today's interviews featured Dominic Raab, Professor John Watson, Mark Drakeford, Bridget Phillipson and Professor Tim Spector. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podc...

With the government facing a backbench revolt over how to fix the pressing issue of unsafe cladding on high rise buildings, Katy Balls asks Conservative MP Bob Blackman and the Spectator's assistant editor Emma Byrne about the government's response so far.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator...

Despite the GDP figures from the ONS today, the Bank of England's chief economist Andy Haldane has written an optimistic commentary today, arguing why he thinks the British economy will bounce back after Covid restrictions end. Katy Balls talks to Kate Andrews, the Spectator's Economics Correspondent, and James Forsyth about that possibility. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podc...

After a brief winter hibernation, it seems that the lockdown-sceptic wing of the Conservative party is returning in force. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the increasing clamour to reopen society and whether the government really has shifted the goalposts for easing lockdown. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfr...

At PMQs today, Boris Johnson said the public would need to 'get used to the idea of vaccinating and then revaccinating in the autumn, as we come to face these new variants.' The government's contract with the Wrexham factory that helps make the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine has been extended to August 2022 at the earliest, so will repeat inoculations be the way forward? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Ha...

The government has managed to delay a backbench rebellion on the so-called 'genocide amendment' today, using what Iain Duncan Smith called 'arcane procedural games'. The Trade Bill amendment, which would have seen courts given the power to designate abuses as a genocide, was expected to have a significant number of Tory backers. Katy Balls discusses with James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman. Become a...

Latest research from the University of Oxford shows that their vaccine has 'minimal protection' against the South African variant of the coronavirus. Should the government be doing more to protect UK borders? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spec...

Isabel Hardman rounds up the highlights from Sunday's political programmes. Today's contributions come from Nadhim Zadhawi, Ed Miliband, Andy Burnham and Professor Sarah Gilbert. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk...

Sensing an opportunity after the EU triggered Article 16 of the Northern Ireland Protocol, the British government is in talks with the EU over compromises to the agreement. Will this gamble pay off, or could it backfire to stoke tensions on the island of Ireland? Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Denis Staunton, London Editor of the  Irish Times. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access t...

Some Sage scientists have broken rank to suggest that the falling infection rates mean that schools in England should go back at the end of this month, like in Scotland. Will the government cave from their March 8th promise? Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For...

It's been weeks since the idea of a quarantine system was floated, yet nothing has been forthcoming on that front. Isabel Hardman asks James Forsyth and Katy Balls - what's the hold up in government? Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: pod...

At PMQs today, Keir Starmer denied Boris Johnson's claims that he wanted the UK to remain in the EU's vaccine procurement scheme. Could a successful domestic rollout, away from the bloc's programme, be seen by the public as an upside of Brexit and cause the opposition problems? Katy Balls speaks to Isabel Hardman and James Forsyth. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without...

Another day, another dig from across the channel on the UK's vaccine reliability. Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about how this rhetoric could backfire. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Host...

Joanna Cherry was sacked from the SNP's Westminster frontbench today. The former justice spokesperson, who is an ally of Alex Salmond, was dropped as the party continues to row over transgender rights. Has the move strengthened leader Nicola Sturgeon's position? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Stephen Daisley. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to...

The EU's row with AstraZeneca came to a head on Friday, with the bloc publishing its contract with the pharmaceutical giant and introducing vaccine export controls. With the UK's rollout continuing at pace, where will the vaccine debate go next? Isabel Hardman speaks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls.  Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/...

Isabel Hardman rounds up the best of Sunday's political shows, with today's podcast featuring and Liz Truss, Micheál Martin, Rachel Reeves and Tony Blair. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See aca...

Katy Balls and the New Statesman's Stephen Bush discuss how much of a splash Keir Starmer has made over the past 9 months. Hosted by Cindy Yu.   Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . Contact us: podcast@spectator.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Novavax's vaccine has shown 89 per cent efficacy in UK trials. The government has bought 60 million doses of the jab, and it's expected that production will begin in Teesside later this year. But, as the EU's rollout languishes and their row with AstraZeneca escalates, should Britain consider giving away its vaccines? Katy Balls speaks to James Forsyth and Fraser Nelson. Become a Spectator subscri...

Boris Johnson visits Scotland today. To nobody's surprise, Nicola Sturgeon has criticised the visit coming at this moment in the pandemic; while Keir Starmer has defended the PM's right to do so as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Cindy Yu talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about the visit and whether or not it will backfire. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast w...

In his statement to the Commons today, Boris Johnson suggested March 8 as a date for schools to return. This is earlier than some predictions but certainly later than many were expecting when schools were shut earlier this month. Katy Balls talks to James Forsyth and Isabel Hardman about what this tells us about when a more general lockdown easing may happen. Become a Spectator subscriber today to...

In the last 24 hours, the EU has threatened to place export controls on vaccines manufactured in the EU; while a German paper has been corrected by Berlin for misreporting that the German government thought the Oxford-Astrazeneca jab was only eight per cent effective in over-65s. Isabel Hardman talks to Katy Balls and James Forsyth about what's going on and whether it could impact Britain's supply...

The government's Covid-O group will be making a decision on the UK's border restrictions imminently. On the podcast, Isabel Hardman talks to James Forsyth and Katy Balls about what is being considered and why now. Become a Spectator subscriber today to access this podcast without adverts. Go to spectator.co.uk/adfree to find out more. For more Spectator podcasts, go to spectator.co.uk/podcasts . C...